Donald Philip Kelley, 86, of Largo, Florida, formerly of Portland, Maine, died on November 15, 2015 after a long illness.
Don was born in Portland, the youngest of five sons of Henry and Esther Parks Kelley. He attended Cathedral Grammar School, Cheverus High School, class of 1946, and The University of Maine where he graduated as a Civil Engineer in 1953. He later earned an M.B.A. at George Washington University in 1970.
Upon graduating from high school, Don enlisted and followed his four older brothers into military service. He served for three years in the US Army Air Corps (later US Air Force) as a radio operator. He was a long-time member of the Paul Mallia American Legion Post No. 161 in Portland and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 10094 in Largo, Florida.
After attending UMaine on the GI Bill, Don began his engineering career with the Bridge Division of the Maine State Highway Commission, where he was frequently greeted by Governor Baxter while building the causeway to Mackworth Island, which was Don’s first project. He later joined the US Army Corps of Engineers, where he specialized in arctic construction, traveling frequently to Labrador, Greenland, and Alaska. He retired after thirty years of Federal Government service, at the Army Research and Development Laboratories in Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
Survivors include daughters Debbe Kelley (Charlie Beehler) and Susan Koeppen (Rob Koeppen), son John Kelley, granddaughter Kelley Koeppen, grandson Christiaan Segura (Terri) and great-granddaughter Norah, and many wonderful nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is also survived by his wife, Delores Casale Kelley.
Donald Philip Kelley will be interred in the family plot at Calvary Cemetery. Private funeral services will be held in Florida, and a memorial service will be held in Maine at a later date.
The family would like to thank the many kind and competent professionals at Season’s in Belleaire, Morton Plant Hospital and Rehab Center, Sylvan Health Center, and the Pinellas County Veterans Services who have been an enormous help to us in recent months. We are especially grateful to Dr. John Fox and his compassionate staff for many years of care and friendship.
If desired, donations may be made to Cheverus High School. Friends and family are invited to share a memory and sign his guestbook below.
My deepest condolences to the Kelley family, may you find comfort in prayer and the beautiful words of Revelation 21:3, 4 where God promises us that He will soon eliminate all death and suffering.
My staff and I wish to extend our deepest sympathies in the loss of your beloved Father and Grandfather. He was a kind and gentle man who had a deep love for life and for his independence, as well as a fighting spirit. Annie, Tina , Elaiza and I will miss him greatly. I have seldom seen in the last 20 years a family more devoted to the considerate care and comfort of a family member. It was a privilege to be involved in his care and to get to know all of you over the years. I hope you take great comfort in the certain knowledge that you provided such wonderful care for him and greatly eased his discomfort in these last years. Please let me know if we can ever do anything for any of you. Yours, John Fox
It is always nice to help such a wonderful family. God Bless
My deepest condolences to the Kelley family, i had the pleasure of knowing donald while at the seasons of belleair ,he always put a smile on my face and he told the most amazing stories i miss him know and always .he will for ever be in our hearts .love always Denise Brown C.N.A
Don Kelley lived one house away, growing up in the 1930’s on Munjoy Hill. His mother, widowed when Don was three, raised five sons: John was KIA in air combat in the Pacific in WWII; Henry, William, George and Don honored her in their careers.
R.I.P. Don, my alter boy co-server of many years ago. Condolences Delores and family.
Bob Joyce
My deepest condolences to the Kelley family. I had the pleasure to meet Donald while at the Seasons of Belleair. He was a kind man. It was a privilege to get to know him and his family. Sybille Kamin CNA Seasons of Belleair
My deepest condolences to Susan Kelley and the entire Kelley Family. I will always remember “Mr. Kelley” as a very kind and generous man who helped Susan and I when we started out. My prayers and thoughts are with the Kelley Family.